C. F. Martin 0-17 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1936), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 62777, natural lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, black chipboard case.
This is a very attractive little mahogany Martin from early 1936. During the depression these inexpensive (for a Martin!) guitars sold for thirty dollars, which represented a considerable investment for the average American worker. Still, this low-priced model was many player's first Martin and no doubt helped the company stay afloat in the lean years of the '30's! 1936 was a fairly high production year for the 0-17 with over 850 sold, down a bit from a high of 1100 in 1934. The design had been recently recast and modernized from a 12-fret to 14-fret neck joint just in time for the 1934 catalog, and the result was a very popular guitar over the next few years. They are also very lightly built, so surviving examples are often not as well preserved as this one. This is a simple but beautiful sounding pre-war Martin, especially fine for fingerpicking styles.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 7/8 in. (632 mm.). Overall quite nice with some average wear and small dings to the finish. The only heavy scuffing to the finish is on the back, the top remains relatively clean. The only notable repair work is to a small crack on the bass side near the endpin, sealed up but not as cleanly or evenly as we would prefer so still visible, and a small patched ding in the side nearby. Replica ebony nut, otherwise all original including the Grover tuners and lovely tortiose celluloid pickguard.The guitar is in excellent playing condition with a recent neckset, a very fine sounding pre-war mahogany Martin. Overall Very Good + Condition.
